The Pride got their winning goal from a penalty via legend Marta and an own goal by the Spirit made it 2-0. The Brazilian international has been with the club since 2017 -- the last time they also made the playoffs -- and the title is her first ever while playing in NWSL.

What was already a tall task for the Spirit in this meeting of the league’s top teams grew tougher with 10 players unavailable because of injuries and a suspension. Washington adjusted well, but a couple of mistakes proved costly in a 2-0 win for Orlando, which clinched the NWSL Shield for the first time by securing the league’s best record.

The Orlando Pride, who've spent most of their existence languishing toward the bottom of the National Women's Soccer League, clinched the NWSL's regular-season title Sunday with a 2-0 win over the second-place Washington Spirit.